Annise Parker accused of trying to create gay council district, walks out of press briefing

Annise Parker

Openly gay Houston Mayor Annise Parker abruptly walked out of a press conference Tuesday afternoon after reporters questioned her about rumors she’s trying to created a majority gay council district. The press conference had been called to discuss a national award the Houston Police Department received for addressing mental issues. From KRIV FOX 26:

“I’m out of here … this is not what this press conference is about,” Parker said.

Rumors have run wild after Conservative Councilman Mike Sullivan was removed from a position that would oversee redistricting in the city.

The Houston Chronicle reported earlier that Parker removed Sullivan from redistricting because he didn’t support her candidate for port commissioner:

The councilman had given her repeated assurances he would vote for Parker candidate Dean Corgey last month but changed his mind after hearing from several influential Houston conservatives, he said.

On Nov. 18, when he called to inform her of his decision hours before the vote, Sullivan said she told him she was not sure she could trust him to manage the redistricting process anymore.

On Friday, Parker told him of her decision and noted that her senior staff had advised her to send him to “Siberia,” Sullivan recalled.

Parker did not deny making the comments. Asked about Sullivan’s recollection, she replied, “The only real currency we have as public officials is the ability to give our word and keep it.”